Despite picking up his 15th Florida license suspension, Joseph R. Ferraro decided to get back behind the wheel obviously ignoring the fact he had a revoked drivers license. The 27-year-old was arrested again this week for driving without a license. If convicted, this will be his 16th license suspension.
The latest run in with the law for Ferraro came with a Pasco County Sheriff’s deputy. The officer was patrolling S.R. 52 and spotted a Ford Taurus driving westbound. The stop occurred at approximately 4:00 a.m. There was no reason given in the TBO.com story as to the reason for the stop but most likely the officer ran the plate and red flags came up. After the traffic stop, Ferraro reportedly was read his rights. He admitted to knowing he was driving with a suspended driver’s license. He was booked into Land O’Lakes jail. The charge was driving with a suspended or revoked license as a habitual traffic offender. He was released on $5,000 bail.
While Mr. Ferraro seemed to know his driver’s license status, many Florida drivers are unaware when they get a letter stating their driver’s license is suspended. If you are a habitual traffic offender, you will have your license suspended for five years. You will lose all your driving privileges for one year and then you will have the opportunity to apply for a Florida hardship license. That process goes through the Bureau of Administrative Review field office. If you receive a letter like this, it is vital you contact an attorney who is experienced in handling license suspension cases and cases involving traffic violations in Florida. If you are a habitual traffic offender and you are caught driving that is a third-degree felony. You will be taken to jail. The crime is also punishable by up to five years in state prison.
